Varanasi : Historical Background | Religious Importance | Places To Visit | Travel Tips
Hundreds of people journey every year to many pilgrimage destinations. They are all scattered across the map of India. The fabled land of seers, sages, spiritual leaders, and healers is not lacking in the aspect of holy sites. One of them is Varanasi.
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Varanasi is one of the world's oldest inhabited cities. Some individuals know it as Banaras. Others called it by the name of Kashi in ancient times. The holy city is one of the top places to a pilgrimage site. This is due to the several ghats and notable temples. The city has been a crucial focal point of Hindu devotion since ancient times. This is due to the history of pilgrimage, mysticism, and poetry. It provides an intense experience to the people visiting it.
Historical Background
“Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together” - Mark Twain
Varanasi was in place way back in the 1800 BCE. It is a place of learning and civilization for over 3000 years. In the past, the city was popular for its spiritualism, mysticism, Sanskrit, yoga, and Hindi language.
Throughout history, Varanasi has experienced several movements. It gained popularity as it became the cultural center of religion and education. Prominent figures from the Bhakti movement were born here. Guru Nanak visited the place during his journey to establish Sikhism. Honored authors like Prem Chand and Tulsi Das visited the city.
Along with cultural significance, there are other aspects. Mrs. Annie Besant chose the city for her ‘The Theosophical Society’. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya chose it to be the home of ‘Benares Hindu University’.
Religious Importance
According to Hindu Mythology, Varanasi was founded by Lord Shiva. The Hindu religion states that one who visits this land will gain blessings. One who takes a holy bath in the Ganga will wash off all their mortal sins. Further, someone who dies on this land will meet moksha and be free from the cycle of life and death.
The mythological story behind the foundation of the city is interesting. It follows the story of the fight between Lord Shiva and Brahma. During this fight, Shiva tore off one of Brahma’s five heads and carried it with him as a sign of his own bravery. When Lord Shiva reached Varanasi, the head dropped and disappeared into the ground. This ended up making the land holy.
The myth follows that the Pandavas visited Varanasi after the Kurukshetra War. They were in search of Shiva so that they can atone for their sins. The Cakkavatti Sīhanāda Sutta text of Buddhism has another version. It states that Varanasi became the fated kingdom of Ketumati at the time of Maitreya.
Places To Visit
The city of Varanasi offers a plethora of options for travelers to enjoy the beauty of the place. Here are some places that you can visit during your stay.
1. Assi Ghat: The River Ganga and Assi meet at this place, making it a pious spot. There is a shiva-lingam located below a peepal tree which receives worship on a regular basis. Witness the beautiful morning aarti conducted at 5.30 am. Apart from that, one can enjoy hot-air balloons and boat rides here.
2. Temples: Almost every street in Varanasi houses a temple. Explore them on foot to get a local experience. Some of the most famous ones are the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the Durga temple.
3. Dashashwamedh Ghat: Mythology states that Lord Brahma sacrificed 10 horses at this place for a yajna. This resulted in the place earning its name. The aarti at this ghat, performed in the evening is mesmerizing. You can view a spell-binding sunrise on a boat here.
4. Panchganga Ghat: The five rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Dhutpapa, and Kirana - meet here. It is also surrounded by temples that one can visit. Releasing little baskets in the water at certain times of the year becomes a sight to behold.
5. Ramnagar Fort: Apart from spiritualism, lovers of history can get a glimpse of the past. Ramnagar Fort also houses a museum filled with interesting pieces of artifacts.
Travel Tips
1. The easiest way to reach Varanasi is by air or rail. November to February is the peak season while March to June is the off-season. Here are a few travel tips for people who are planning to visit the city soon.
2. Get a place by the Ghats. The Old City is often the best place to stay to experience the original beauty of the place.
3. Boat rides to witness the sunrise are a must. Experience the breathtaking view surrounded by water.
4. Feel like a local exploring the alleyways of the city. Be cautious while eating street food as there have been many cases of food poisoning. Make sure that the item is being cooked and served in front of your eyes.
5. Watch out for cow excretions. The city has hundreds of cows roaming and as a result of which there are cows dropping everywhere. Be careful of where you step!
6. Do not miss the Ganga Aarti Ceremony. It is a very magical and spiritual experience.